iDatalink Maestro impressions
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iDatalink Maestro impressions
Recently I decided to upgrade the audio system in my 2012 Lariat. I chose the Kenwood DNX890HD and tie it all in with the Maestro from iDatalink. Here are some observations….
The maestro and its ancillaries are not cheap, the Maestro module itself is about $140, you’ll also need the integration harness FD-01 for around $45 and you’ll also need the iDatalink ADS-USB loader cable which is another $55. So in Maestro stuff alone, add another $250-ish dollars to your budget.
The Maestro will allow you full integration of the OE SYNC system, including Bluetooth. One of the coolest features is the gauge display, it allows for all kinds of stuff, speed, RPM, intake temp, coolant temp. instant fuel economy and a few others, pretty cool. It also will show you the individual tire pressures and will show you which doors are open. In addition it reads out system voltage, and is supposed to read out DTCs. It will use your upper display for info as well, station read out, song title etc. You WILL lose your clock as it is a part of the OE radio.
The install is fairly straight forward with the FD-01 and the Maestro. Make the typical standard connections and a 2 wire run to the OBD-2 plug, and that’s about it. On some Ford vehicles it is necessary to tag the SYNC wire but 11-13 F-150 it is not required.
After everything was hooked up, I discovered a few things. The biggest one is that you can NOT use the OE sat. radio with the system as the tuned is built into the OE radio, this I was unaware of. The Maestro also allows for on screen climate control in some Ford vehicles, but not the F-150. So to retain sat radio, I* had to buy yet another piece of equipment, so another $50 bucks.
So after this all filters out here is what you are left with, SYNC Bluetooth, media stream from the phone, USB ( all of which the Kenwood does anyway without the Maestro module ) and the gauges. You also maintain steering wheel controls that by the way you can customize from the weblink programmer through iDatalink’s website. Basically for a head unit, plus $300 and a DIY install, you can have everything you started out with, plus navigation, and some gauges. Honestly, I’m a bit disappointed, don’t get me wrong, it’s a nice setup, but the value is not quite there IMHO. No OE sat retention, no climate control, no clock. I would not take the Maestro route again, I could have had everything I have now, les the gauges for $300 less….
The maestro and its ancillaries are not cheap, the Maestro module itself is about $140, you’ll also need the integration harness FD-01 for around $45 and you’ll also need the iDatalink ADS-USB loader cable which is another $55. So in Maestro stuff alone, add another $250-ish dollars to your budget.
The Maestro will allow you full integration of the OE SYNC system, including Bluetooth. One of the coolest features is the gauge display, it allows for all kinds of stuff, speed, RPM, intake temp, coolant temp. instant fuel economy and a few others, pretty cool. It also will show you the individual tire pressures and will show you which doors are open. In addition it reads out system voltage, and is supposed to read out DTCs. It will use your upper display for info as well, station read out, song title etc. You WILL lose your clock as it is a part of the OE radio.
The install is fairly straight forward with the FD-01 and the Maestro. Make the typical standard connections and a 2 wire run to the OBD-2 plug, and that’s about it. On some Ford vehicles it is necessary to tag the SYNC wire but 11-13 F-150 it is not required.
After everything was hooked up, I discovered a few things. The biggest one is that you can NOT use the OE sat. radio with the system as the tuned is built into the OE radio, this I was unaware of. The Maestro also allows for on screen climate control in some Ford vehicles, but not the F-150. So to retain sat radio, I* had to buy yet another piece of equipment, so another $50 bucks.
So after this all filters out here is what you are left with, SYNC Bluetooth, media stream from the phone, USB ( all of which the Kenwood does anyway without the Maestro module ) and the gauges. You also maintain steering wheel controls that by the way you can customize from the weblink programmer through iDatalink’s website. Basically for a head unit, plus $300 and a DIY install, you can have everything you started out with, plus navigation, and some gauges. Honestly, I’m a bit disappointed, don’t get me wrong, it’s a nice setup, but the value is not quite there IMHO. No OE sat retention, no climate control, no clock. I would not take the Maestro route again, I could have had everything I have now, les the gauges for $300 less….
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 319
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From: Anchorage, AK
Just to update this post as it is over 6 months old now:
You can pick up the Maestro RR unit for 90 bucks, the FD01 (for 09-13 model years) and FD02 (for 14-up) for another 29 bucks. The ADS-USB loader is NOT required, as the RR module comes with a USB cable that allows you to pre-load the necessary firmware for your vehicle and radio configuration with your computer before connecting it to the FD harness. The iDATALINK website makes it clear that you will lose OEM Sirius functionality as that is part of the OEM radio, but again, the Sirius module that hooks into your new radio goes for about 35 bucks on many websites, and Sirius is offering a 99 dollar rebate with new tuner activation until the end of October, so you're actually making money on this exchange. Additionally, with slight modification, you can hook your OEM sat antenna into the aftermarket Sirius module, so there's no need to run a new one. Lastly, perhaps it is radio dependent, but I didn't lose the Clock display when I installed my Alpine X008U. The clock display is now set off the clock in my radio, which is set off a satellite signal and is always accurate.
All said and done, I spent around 155 dollars to maintain Sync functionality, steering wheel controls, and gained the above mentioned gauge readouts which are extremely useful and have a high coolness factor. On top of that, I should be getting my 99 dollar rebate from Sirius in the form of a prepaid credit card in a week or two. Individual tastes vary, but for my money, this was a solid investment and a must have for any aftermarket radio install on a Ford with Sync or MyFordTouch systems. My advice to anyone considering this route would be to visit the iDatalink website and explore the different options available for each model vehicle and radio using the very easy to use configuration utility.
You can pick up the Maestro RR unit for 90 bucks, the FD01 (for 09-13 model years) and FD02 (for 14-up) for another 29 bucks. The ADS-USB loader is NOT required, as the RR module comes with a USB cable that allows you to pre-load the necessary firmware for your vehicle and radio configuration with your computer before connecting it to the FD harness. The iDATALINK website makes it clear that you will lose OEM Sirius functionality as that is part of the OEM radio, but again, the Sirius module that hooks into your new radio goes for about 35 bucks on many websites, and Sirius is offering a 99 dollar rebate with new tuner activation until the end of October, so you're actually making money on this exchange. Additionally, with slight modification, you can hook your OEM sat antenna into the aftermarket Sirius module, so there's no need to run a new one. Lastly, perhaps it is radio dependent, but I didn't lose the Clock display when I installed my Alpine X008U. The clock display is now set off the clock in my radio, which is set off a satellite signal and is always accurate.
All said and done, I spent around 155 dollars to maintain Sync functionality, steering wheel controls, and gained the above mentioned gauge readouts which are extremely useful and have a high coolness factor. On top of that, I should be getting my 99 dollar rebate from Sirius in the form of a prepaid credit card in a week or two. Individual tastes vary, but for my money, this was a solid investment and a must have for any aftermarket radio install on a Ford with Sync or MyFordTouch systems. My advice to anyone considering this route would be to visit the iDatalink website and explore the different options available for each model vehicle and radio using the very easy to use configuration utility.